Exclusive: Exeter City Star Reveals International Ambition
Before the days of the red and white at Exeter City, the red and white of Manchester United was the home for one Demetri Mitchell. The young left-winger plied his trade amongst the most promising Red Devils’ youngsters at the Carrington Academy.
Creativity, drive and speed were on show at the academy and these were just some of the exhilarating attributes associated with Mitchell. These traits were spotted early by those involved with the England youth setu
From under-16’s to under-20’s, Mitchell was rubbing shoulders with many of the Premier League stars of today. The now 26-year-old won the 2014 UEFA European Under-17 Championship as a part of the England under-17 youth squad.
“I’ve got some good memories… Victory Shield, Euros, Toulon and the Euros squad was filled with the likes of Dom Solanke or Adam Armstrong, Patrick Roberts and Lewis Cook.
“My Toulon team had Reece James, David Brooks… Harvey Barnes.
“It’s always interesting to play for England, because you get to see the all the talent that are at other clubs and senior levels really, so it was a really good experience.”
What was Demetri’s favourite England memory? None other than his debut.
He said: “Probably when I played my debut game at 16.
“I scored a goal where I ran through about three or four players and put it in the top corner.”
However, Mitchell has stated his desire to play for the Jamaican national team at senior level. His grandparents, hailing from his dad’s side of the family, were born in the Caribbean country.
The attacker visited the country this summer for the first time, where he expressed how his time at Old Trafford had showcased his stardom to the Jamaican population before even he was aware.
He said: “It was quite a euphoric experience.
“I had a taxi man that I made friends with. He took me to the locals, which you don’t really get to do on those kind of holidays.
“It was so cool because they knew who I was from my time at (Manchester) United. For them to still remember me and I’m living so far away, to be watching my development from when I was young, just meant a lot to me.”
With three goals and three assists to his name this season, Mitchell has stamped his authority on the League One battleground. His winner against Premier League Luton Town will live long in the memory for Exeter City supporters.
However, Mitchell limped off against Middlesbrough on Tuesday during Exeter’s 3-2 loss in the Carabao Cup fourth-round clash at St James Park.
It is unclear as to the extent of the injury, although the club put out a statement this afternoon which read: “Following an injury sustained on Tuesday evening against Middlesbrough, Demetri Mitchell has had initial scans which confirm damage to the knee.
“He will undergo further assessment to fully understand the extent of th